Piazzolo
Discovering Piazzolo, the small village in the high Val Brembana
Piazzolo, called ''Piassöl'' in the Bergamo dialect, is a charming municipality in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy, located in the high Val Brembana. With its 87 inhabitants, it is the second least populated municipality in the province after Blello. Despite its small size, Piazzolo has an ancient and interesting history, which makes it a special place.
Origins of the name
The toponym Piazzolo derives from the location of the village, which since its origins has been built on a small square close to the high mountains of the area. The name can also be found in other nearby towns such as Piazzatorre, Piazzo and Piazzole.
History
Piazzolo, like many other villages in the area, has ancient origins dating back to the time of the barbarian invasions. During this period, local populations took refuge in remote places, sheltered from the conquering hordes.
Piazzolo has experienced several vicissitudes throughout its history, including disputes with the neighboring communities of Valnegra and Piazza Brembana and episodes of parochialism. The inhabitants of the village were forced to participate in religious functions in neighboring municipalities due to the lack of funds to pay a priest. Only occasionally were the functions celebrated in the local church of Santa Maria.
During World War II, Piazzolo was a refuge for partisans on the run, who prayed to Santa Rita to avoid being caught by the Nazis. Since then, that area has been named after the saint.
In the following years, Piazzolo was little affected by the various regimes that followed, but is experiencing a new rebirth thanks to tourism.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the municipality of Piazzolo, granted by decree of the President of the Republic in 1999, depicts cats to allude to the nickname of its few inhabitants, called ''i gàcc dé Piazzòl'' in Bergamo dialect. The blue field recalls the branch of the Brembo river that borders the territory, while the three golden stars represent Piazzolo and the districts of Frola and Zenevrega. The banner is yellow.
Monuments and places of interest
Piazzolo is immersed in nature and offers numerous naturalistic and hiking itineraries. The increase in users of mountain bikes has breathed new life into the dirt roads of the village, creating new opportunities for enthusiasts of this discipline.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, is the parish church of the village. Dating back to the fifteenth century, it represents an important reference point for the community of Piazzolo.
The revival of tourism and the enhancement of the territory are bringing new momentum to this small village in the high Val Brembana. If you are looking for a peaceful place immersed in nature, Piazzolo could be the perfect choice for you.
